Construction of chemically resistant reaction towers



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5. 1951 INVENTOR AkcJcfl/ ATTORNEY P. GUARESCHI Dec. 27, 1955 CONSTRUCTION OF CHEMICALLY RESISTANT REACTION TOWERS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 kn M 'INVENTOR P/ 713 G ()A I? EJC/H F/KS a a, ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1955 P. GUARESCHI 2,728,640

CONSTRUCTION OF CHEMICALLY RESISTANT REACTION TOWERS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 +3 J I l I I l W Q9] D l 44 5, 6 22 (W A 49 1 I l i 46 45 L ,/-2o 4 [2 l 1 7H P E i 'T 7 21' I 4 I 40 8 INVENTOR .u I 2:}; L, P/ETKo G AREscm ATTORNEY United States Patent CONSTRUCTION OF CHEMICALLY RESISTANT REACTION TGWERS Pietro Guareschi, Genoa, Italy Application September 5, 1951, Serial No. 245,138 7 Claims. (Cl. 23-283) This invention relates to the construction of towers for chemical reactions.

The object of the invention consists in modifying the tower construction so as to permit elimination of the heavy lead lining employed hitherto in the construction of reaction towers. and in replacing same with a much lighter and resistant lining of chemically resistant synthetic materials, such as polyviny (this term being employed to include not only polyvinyl resins proper, but all kinds of chemically resistant heat-weldable synthetic materials like the polyvinyl resins), thus rendering the construction of the towers less expensive and lengthening their life. 7

With the above and other objects in View, the invention aims to provide a system for the construction of towers in which the space or chamber for the reaction is formed. by suspending from a top part of the framework a plurality of bands or sheets of the said heat-weldable or thermoplastic synthetic material or polyvinyl, the said framework comprising vertical uprights connected at their top by a frame presenting inwardly rounded edges.

According to the invention, the polyvinyl sheets are welded together to form a tubular curtain which extends downwardly into the usual collecting vat or pan and is suspended and fastened upwardly to a top frame of the supporting structure which is constituted of a framework having vertical uprights. The curtain is maintained adherent to the supporting structure of the tower by a cage composed of upright posts and cross bars, the lining being secured laterally to uprights which are fastened to the supporting structure by means of ties or stirrups welded to the exterior thereof. Furthermore the top of the tower is closed by means of a sheet of polyvinyl supported by beams carried by the top frame and secured thereto by ties or stirrups of polyvinyl welded to the ceiling.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will better appear from the following description of a kind of filter-tower (Gay-Lussac tower) for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation of a tower;

Figure 2 is a partial cross section along line 11-11 of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 3 is a partial vertical section along line IIIIII of Figures 1, 2 and 4;

Figure 4 is a top view of part of the tower shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a constructional detail with parts in section and 'shows the suspension of the lining from the top frame;

Figure 6 is a section on line VIVI of Figure 4 and shows the arrangement of the injection nozzles;

Figure 7 is a detail section on line VIIVII of Figure 4.

In the embodiment as shown of a filter-tower for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, the supporting structure of the tower is constituted by a metal frame work comprising lower vertical uprights M and roof-carrying vertical upright extensions M. These uprights have a section composed of two U profiles and are supported by a concrete bed P lined with a lead sheet F (see Figures 1 and 3). The uprights M carry at their upper portions, at a height which corresponds to that of the reaction chamber of the tower, a frame C made up of double U-shaped beams. The U beam facing towards the interior of the tower has fastened inside a beam T made preferably of wood, the upper inner corner of which is rounded and partly projects into the tower, and serves as suspension means for the inner curtain. The tower carries bands or (see Figures 2 and 3) weldedoutwardly and embracing flat upright irons 3 fastened to the supporting frame by means of corner irons 4 (Figures 2, 3 and 5).

In order to provide a continuous lateral supporting means for the polyvinyl curtain 1 a cage is provided which extends either over the whole height, or over a part of the tower. .In the embodiment as shown this supporting cage for the polyvinyl curtain 1 is constituted by small wooden posts 5 supported by horizontal cross beams 6, which latter are constituted by T- and L-shaped metal members fastened to uprights M, of which they constitute also the stiffening and transverse connecting means (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). It is to be noted that the iron uprights 3 to which the curtain 1 is fastened are located in the spaces-- between pairs of posts 5, so as to permit the passage therebetween of fastening stirrups 2. 1

The ceiling 7 of the reaction chamber, which is also constituted of a sheet of synthetic material, such as polyvinyl material, is supported by main beams S, S (see Figures 3 to 7) which are supported on top upon the top frame C. The ceiling is fastened thereto by means of stirrups or collars 8 made of polyvinyl material which embrace beams S, S and are welded outwardly to ceiling 7 which is inwardly joined to curtain 1 by bending downwardly and welding thereon the peripheral borders (see Figure 5 while above the joint between said borders there is provided an L-shaped member 9, made of polyvinyl material or the like, which is welded to curtain 1 and to ceiling 7.

The pan V at the bottom of the tower is made of lead or of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, or ofsilicones. The curtain 1 which extends into the pan is welded to a polyvinyl lining or open-top substantially cylindrical container G provided all round said pan V.

The reagent feed nozzles U which, in the case as shown of a filter tower for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, feed the sulphuric acid, into the reaction chamber, pass through suitable holes in the ceiling 7 and are supported by the pairs of upper secondary beams 10 fitted transversely to main beams S and supported thereby (see Figures 3, 4 and 6). According to the invention, thetnozzles U and their connections 11 to the acid feed piping A, as well as the pipings A themselves, are also made of polyvinyl material or the like. Pipings A are supported by means of vertical tubular sections 12 made of polyvinyl material, by said beams S, and are connected through valves 13 to main-feed pipe B. The

seal between nozzle U and ceiling 7 is effected, according to the invention, by means of ajconical sleeve or.

sleeve is provided with an outer flange, 14' on which rests a polyvinyl plate 15 provided with a central hole through which the pipe of nozzle passes. Plate 15 is welded to this latter and is fastened, together with flanges 14' of sleeve 14 and by means of bolts 16, to aametal bottom plate 17 which rests in turn on the two small beams 10 and allows tube U to pass therebetween (Figure 6)-. i V

The gas-outlet chimney D consists of a lead tube 18 carried by beams S and brackets 19 (see Figures 4 and 7). Said tube 18 is connected to the opening in the ceiling 7 by means of a lower c'o-axial tube 20 made ofpolyvinyl material and tightly connected: thereto by means of bolts 22 and polyvinyl packing 23, while said' tube 20 is welded by one of its outer lower flangestothe ceiling 7 and is reinforced at this joint by an outer corner profile made of polyvinyl material.

Of course the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but may undergo numerouschanges and modifications, particularly as regards the supporting structure oflthc tower, the construction of the lining-supporting frame, as well as said lining. and the synthetic material composing same, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Thus the tower may be provided with means for finely sub-dividing or for increasing the exposed surface of the liquids sprinkled or otherwise passed therethrough, these means generally consisting of Raschig rings, chips or shavings of polyvinyl material, spaced perforated plates, or a combination of these or other like means.

Furthermore, as already stated, the term polyvinyl" i is intended to include any synthetic material having the characteristics of polyvinyl resins, viz. agood flexibility and resistanceto chemical and mechanical agents, and in addition, the property of being weldable in sheet form by heat or by means of some bonding agent.-

What I claim is:

1. A chemical reaction tower comprising in combination an outer open framework including a substantially vertical wall portion composed of vertical beams and horizontal cross beams extending between the vertical beams, a top frame made up of profiled U-b'eams having at least one of the Wings directed inwardly and fastened at the top of said vertical beams an inwardly extending horizontal annular lip member mounted on said inwardly-directed wing of the said profiled beams and projecting beyond the inwardly-directed wing edges, said lip member having a curved upper inner edge, said frame-work further including horizontal top beams fastened to the top of said top frame and a cage made up of small vertical posts supported by said horizontal cross beams, a curtain of polyvinyl sheet material having an outwardly extending" flange portion extending over said lip member and fastened to said lip-supporting U-beams, and a substantially vertical curtain-like wall portion depending from said flange portion and freely suspended within said vertical wall portions of said framework, means of polyvinyl material welded to the out-' side of said: curtain-like wall portion andcar'rie'd by said framework. for preventing out-ward radial bulging ofsaid curtain, a ceiling of polyvinylsheet niateria'l comprising a substantially flat top portion, strap means the enclosure extending above the pan rim and being welded to the wall portion of the curtain above the top rim of said pan.

2. A chemical reaction tower comprising in combination: an outer open framework including a substantially vertical wall portion composed of vertical beams and horizontal cross beams made up of profiled metal members and extending between the vertical beams, a top frame made up of double U-shaped beams having two wings of the U directed inwardly, said beams being fastened at the top of said vertical beams, an inwardly extending horizontal annular non metallic lip member fastened between said inwardly-directed wings of the said U-beams and projecting beyond the edges thereof, said lip member having a curved upper inner edge, said framework further including horizontal beams fastened to the top of said top frame and a cage made up of small vertical post's supported by two juxtaposed horizontal cross beams, a curtain of polyvinyl sheet material having an outwardly extending flange portion extending over said lipmember and fastened to said lip-supporting U-b'eams, and a substantially vertical curtain-like wall portion. depending from said flange portion and freely suspended into said tower framework, fastening means of polyvinyl material welded to the outside of said curtain-like wall portion and engaging said tower framework members to be maintained close to the said framework including the cage parts, a

ceiling of polyvinyl: sheet material, fastening means of polyvinyl material fastened to said horizontal top beams of polyvinyl material fastened to said horizontal top beams and welded to the top portion of said ceiling, said ceiling having a downwardly extending sk irt portion welded to the wall portion of said curta""- adjacent to said lip member, and 21 pan in the lower portion of the tower into which the free end of Said wall portion of the curtain extends, said pan being made of a materialresistant to' the chemicals in the t'dwer, an open top substantially cylindrical enclosure of polyvinyl sheet material. outwardly surrounding' said pan, said 'enclosure having: a flat bottom upon which said pan rests' and an upwardly extending wall portion; the wait portion of and welded to said ceiling, said ceiling having a downwardly extending skirt portion welded to the wall portion of said curtain adjacent said lip member,- and a pair in the lower portion of the tower into which the free end of said wall portion of the curtain extends, said pan being made of a" material resistant to the chemicals in the tower, an open top substantially cylindrical enclosure of polyvinyl sheet material outwardly surrounding said pan, said enclosure having a flat bottom upon which said pan: rests and an upwardly extending wal1= portion, the wall portion of the enclosure extending above the pan rim and being welded to the wall portion of the curtain above the top rim of said pan. 7

3. A reaction tower for the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the chamber process comprising in combination: an outer open framework including a substantially ver'-' tical wall portion composed of vertical beams and horizontal CI'OSs' beams made up of profiled metal membersand extending: between the vertical beams, a top frame made'up of lJ-shaped beams having two U wings directed inwardly, said beams being fastened at the to of said vertical beams; an' inwardly extending horizontal annular wooden lip member fastened between said inwardly directed wings of the" said U-be'ams and projectingbeyond the edges of said wings, said lip member having" a curved upper inner edge, said framework further including horizontal beams fastened to the top of said top frame and a cage made up of small vertical posts supported by a pair of horizontal cross beams in the upper tower part, a curtain of polyvinyl sheet material having an outwardly extending flange portion passed oversaidlip member and fastened to said lip-supporting U-beams, and a substan' tially vertical curtain-like wall portion depending from said fiange portion and freely suspended into said tower, tying means of polyvinyl material welded to the outside of said curtain-like wall portion and engaging said framework members of the tower so as tobe' maintained close to the said f'ra-me'work including the cage parts, a ceiling of polyvinyl sheet material comprising a substantially flat top portion having apertures therein, strap means of polyvinyl materi-a'l fastened to said horizontal top beams and welded to said ceiling, said ceiling having a downwardly extending skirt portion welded to the wall portion of said curtain adjacent said lip" member, a pan made of sulphuric and nitricacids=resistant material positioned in the lower part of the tower into which the free end of said wall portion of the curtain extends, an open top substantially cylindrical enclosure of polyvinyl sheet material outwardly surrounding said pan, said enclosure having a flat bottom upon which said pan rests and an upwardly extending wall portion, the wall portion of the enclosure extending above the pan rim and being Welded to the portion of the curtain above the top rim of said pan, and tubing of synthetic plastic material passed through said apertures of the ceiling, said ceiling being sealed by welding to said tubing at said apertures.

4. A reaction tower according to claim 3, in which the curtain fastened to the framework is filled in part with solid members for increasing the exposed surfaces of the liquids, said solid members being usually in the form of Raschig rings of acid-resistant material.

5. A reaction tower according to claim 3, in which the curtain fastened to the framework is filled in part with solid members for increasing the exposed surfaces of the liquids, said solidmernbers being usually in the form of loose pieces of polyvinyl material.

6. A filter (Glover) tower for the manufacture of sulphuric acid comprising in combination an outer open framework including a substantially vertical wall portion composed of vertical beams and horizontal cross beams made up of profiled metal members and extending between the vertical beams, a top frame made up of double U-shaped beams having at least one of the cavities of the U directed inwardly and fastened at the top of said vertical beams, an inwardly extending horizontal annular wooden lip member fastened into said inwardlydirected cavities of the said U-beams and projecting in part out of said cavities said lip-member having a curved upper inner edge, said framework further including horizontal beams fastened to the top of said top frame and a cage made up of small vertical posts supported by a pair of said horizontal cross beams near the tower top, a curtain of thin polyvinyl sheet material having an outwardly extending flange portion passed over said lip member and fastened to said lip-supporting U-beams, and a substantially vertical curtain-like wall portion depending from said flange portion and freely suspended into said tower, tying means of polyvinyl material in the form of straps welded to the outside of said curtain-like wall portion and engaging said framework members so as to be maintained close to the said framework, including the cage, a ceiling of polyvinyl sheet material comprising a substantially flat top portion having apertures therein, ties of polyvinyl material fastened to said horizontal top beams and welded to said top portion of the ceiling, said ceiling having a downwardly extending skirt portion welded to the wall portion of said curtain adjacent said lip member, a pan made up of rigid sulphuric acid and nitric acid-resistant material, a base in the lower part of the tower supporting the pan, free end of said wall portion of the curtain extending into said pan, an open top substantially cylindrical container of polyvinyl sheet material having its bottom part inserted between the said supporting base and the bottom of the pan and having its ascending walls extending around the ascending walls of the pan so as to form an outer pan enclosure, the wall portion of the enclosure extending above the pan rim and being welded to the wall portion of the curtain above the top rim of said pan, tubing of polyvinyl material passed through said apertures of the ceiling and sealed to the ceiling top portion by welding, tubings passed through apertures in the said curtain and vat and sealed thereto by welding, a chimney for the discharge of gases, said chimney resting on the horizontal beams of the top structure, there being an aperture in said ceiling underneath said chimney, and a tube co-axial with said chimney, said tube being of thermoplastic sheet material welded to the edge of the ceiling at said aperture and extending into said chimney, and liquid-contact surface-increasing bodies, such as Raschig rings filling a part of said tower curtain.

7. A chemical reaction tower comprising in combination: an outer framework including a substantially vertical wall portion composed of vertical beams and horizontal cross beams extending between the vertical beams and an inwardly extending horizontal annular member adjacent the upper end of the wall portion and having a curved upper inner lip-like edge, said framework further including a substantially horizontal roof portion above said lip member; a curtain of polyvinyl sheet material, said curtain having an outwardly extending flange portion extending over said lip member, and a substantially vertical wall portion depending from said flange portion; a ceiling of polyvinyl sheet material, said ceiling having a substantially flat top portion and a downwardly extending skirt portion, the skirt portion being welded to the wall portion of said curtain adjacent said lip member; spaced vertical slats secured to said cross beams, said slats surrounding the wall portion of said curtain; a pan positioned in the lower end of the tower having a substantially flat bottom portion and an upwardly extending wall portion and into which the lower end part of the wall portion of the curtain extends; and a pan-shaped enclosure of polyvinyl sheet material, said enclosure having a substantially flat bottom portion on which the bottom portion of said pan rests and an upwardly extending wall portion secured to the outer face of the wall portionof the pan and extending above the upper edge of the wall portion of the pan, the wall portion of the enclosure being welded to the wall portion of the curtain above the upper edge of said pan.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,112,546 Mills et al. Oct. 6, 1914 1,203,615 Harris et al. Nov. 7, 1916 1,367,231 Bayer Feb. 1, 1921 2,311,308 Thomas et al. Feb. 16, 1943 2,343,225 Pray et al. Feb. 29, 1944 2,481,634 Werner Sept. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 446,853 Germany Nov. 14, 1927 557,138 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1943 OTHER REFERENCES, Ind. and Eng. Chem., vol. 25, No. 6, p. 650, June 1933. 

1. A CHEMICAL REACTION TOWER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION AN OUTER OPEN FRAMEWORK INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL WALL PORTION COMPOSED OF VERTICAL BEAMS AND HORIZONTAL CROSS BEAMS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE VERTICAL BEAMS, A TOP FRAME MADE UP OF PROFILED U-BEAMS, HAVING AT LEAST ONE OF THE WINGS DIRECTED INWARDLY AND FASTENED AT THE TOP OF SAID VERTICAL BEAMS, AN INWARDLY EXTENDING HORIZONTAL ANNULAR LIP MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID INWARDLY-DIRECTED WING OF THE SAID PROFILED BEAMS AND PROJECTING BEYOND THE INWARDLY-DIRECTED WING EDGES, SAID LIP MEMBER HAVING A CURVED UPPER INNER EDGE, SAID FRAME-WORK FURTHER INCLUDING HORIZONTAL TOP BEAMS FASTENED TO THE TOP OF SAID TOP FRAME AND A CAGE MADE UP OF SMALL VERTICAL POSTS SUPPORTED BY SAID HORIZONTAL CROSS BEAMS, A CURTAIN OF POLYVINYL SHEET MATERIAL HAVING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTION EXTENDING OVER SAID LIP MEMBER AND FASTENED TO SAID LIP-SUPPORTING U-BEAMS, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL CURTAIN-LIKE WALL PORTION DEPENDING FROM SAID FLANGE PORTION AND FREELY SUSPENDED WITHIN SAID VERTICAL WALL PORTIONS OF SAID FRAMEWORK, MEANS OF POLYVINYL MATERIAL WELDED TO THE OUTSIDE OF SAID CURTAIN-LIKE WALL PORTION AND CARRIED BY SAID FRAMEWORK FOR PREVENTING OUTWARD RADIAL BULGING OF SAID CURTAIN, A CEILING OF POLYVINYL SHEET MATERIAL COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT TOP PORTION, STRAP MEANS OF POLYVINYL MATERIAL FASTENED TO SAID HORIZONTAL TOP BEAMS AND WELDED TO THE TOP PORTION OF SAID CEILING, SAID CEILING HAVING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SKIRT PORTION WELDED TO THE WALL PORTION OF SAID CURTAIN ADJACENT TO SAID LIP MEMBER, AND A PAN IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE TOWER INTO WHICH THE FREE END OF SAID WALL PORTION OF THE CURTAIN EXTENDS, SAID PAN BEING MADE OF A MATERIAL RESISTNT TO THE CHEMICALS IN THE TOWER, AN OPEN TOP SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL ENCLOSURE OF POLYVINYL SHEET MATERIAL OUTWARDLY SURROUNDING SAID PAN, SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM UPON WHICH SAID PAN RESTS AND AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING WALL PORTION, THE WALL PORTION OF THE ENCLOSURE ETENDING ABOVE THE PAN RIM AND BEING WELDED TO THE WALL PORTION OF THE CURTAIN ABOVE THE TOP RIM OF SAID PAN. 